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The Solid Waste Program in EPA Region 7 promotes waste prevention, recycling and safe, effective management and disposal of solid waste, including household and commercial garbage and nonhazardous industrial wastes. We work closely with our partners including state agencies, Indian tribes, local governments, universities and citizen groups to solve municipal solid waste generation and management problems in the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.

This work is authorized by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) at Subtitle D. Learn more about RCRA and its nonhazardous waste regulations.

Solid Waste in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska

States oversee most of the solid waste disposal programs and compliance is assured through state-issued permits. State and local governments are the primary planning, permitting, regulating, implementing, and enforcement agencies for management and disposal of household and industrial or commercial nonhazardous solid wastes.

Resources for Assistance

For information or assistance with solid waste activities in your state, please visit the following websites:

States also have programs to follow up on reports of illegal dumping. Please contact the appropriate state agencies to report illegal dumping. Contact and other information can be located via the websites above.

Sustainable Materials Management

EPA's Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Program is a key component of Region 7's Solid Waste Program. Sustainable materials management refers to the use and reuse of materials in the most productive and sustainable way across their entire life cycle. Sustainable materials management conserves resources, reduces waste, slows climate change, and minimizes the environmental impacts of the materials we use.

EPA's SMM efforts include:

Food Recovery Challenge - Under the Food Recovery Challenge, grocers, colleges and stadiums are committing to reduce the environmental impact of wasted food in landfills through smart purchasing and surplus food diversion.

Electronics Challenge - Through the Electronics Challenge, equipment manufacturers and retailers are promoting responsible recycling of used electronics.

Federal Green Challenge - The Federal Green Challenge encourages EPA and other federal agencies throughout the country to lead by example in reducing the federal government's environmental impact.

WasteWise

EPA also promotes waste reduction through the WasteWise Program. WasteWise is a free, voluntary program that assists and recognizes businesses, governments and organizations that reduce or eliminate costly municipal solid waste and select industrial wastes, benefiting both the environment and their bottom line. Businesses, local governments, and nonprofit organizations of all sizes and from all industry sectors can join WasteWise.

Learn more about the WasteWise program in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Learn more about EPA's national WasteWise program.

Past Recognition Events

Newton, Kansas - Sand Creek Station Golf Course, June 24, 2013 - Region 7 presented an award to the City of Newton, Kansas, for efforts to reduce waste and recycle materials at the city-owned Sand Creek Station Golf Course. Among other achievements in 2012, the City of Newton diverted approximately 24 tons of waste from landfills through waste prevention and recycling programs at the golf course. Learn more

St Louis Cardinals, April 29, 2013 - Region 7 recognized the St. Louis Cardinals baseball club for efforts to divert, donate and compost food waste around Busch Stadium in an on-field ceremony prior to the Cardinals-Reds game. Learn more

Kansas City Chiefs, April 8, 2013 - Region 7 and the Kansas City Chiefs announced Extra Yard for the Environment, the football club's sustainability initiative. The program is designed to devise and implement new green policies for the Kansas City Chiefs while raising awareness for green efforts at Arrowhead Stadium, the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex, and for fans at home. Learn more